On July 15, 2023, the 27th ADAC Heidelberg Historic came to an end with the finish at the Technik Museum Sinsheim. From July 13 to 15, the rally with its 180 classic cars roamed the most beautiful landscapes of Kraichgau and the rear Odenwald, and this year the route ran south to Bruchsal and Dettenheim. The start and finish of each of the two daily stages was in Sinsheim.
In Germany, the ADAC Heidelberg Historic was the only international event on the calendar of the FIVA World Oldtimer Association. In midsummer temperatures, the teams worked up quite a sweat, especially on Saturday.
A lot to see for passers-by
There were many opportunities for spectators to admire the vehicles during breaks, drive-through checks or at the finish line. 180 vehicles every minute - three hours of pure classic car enjoyment, no matter where you positioned yourself along the 520-kilometer route.
Beaming faces from young to old sat along the streets, some with coolers and folding chairs, cheering on the participants.
At 98 years old, the oldest vehicle in the field was the Lancia Lambda with start number 8.
The NSU 1200 TT from Audi Tradition or the beautifully shaped Shelby Cobra 427 S/C from 1965 were just as worth seeing as legendary sports cars as the NSU RO 80 with its then innovative Wankel engine, the VW T2 flatbed from 1970, which was atypical for classic car rallies, or the Mini Van from 1977.
Public technical inspection
The first spectator highlight was the scrutineering in the courtyard of the TÜV Service Center in Sinsheim on the evening before the event.
The starting signal for the first stage was then given on Friday morning at 8 a.m. in front of the Technik Museum Sinsheim. The route on Friday led through the Kraichgau region via Münzesheim and Unteröwisheim, with a drive-through check directly in front of Bruchsal Castle.
After the vehicles had finally crossed the Lußhard, they returned to the hilly landscape with a drive-through check at the church square in Mühlhausen and a subsequent special stage in the vineyards. After the lunch break in Wiesloch, the route continued past the Hockenheim Motodrom via the Königsstuhl to the old town of Heidelberg.
The drive across the square in front of the town hall and through the pedestrian zone via the alleyways of the old town and the Old Bridge, which is otherwise closed to traffic, out of the city and to the other side of the Neckar is always a highlight of the first day of the rally for both the teams and the spectators. The circuit "secured" with straw bales, which was completed in Spechbach from 4 pm, is also legendary. The 2.5 laps around a hairpin bend in the town center were once again followed with applause by hundreds of spectators.
All the way to Rosenberg
The second stage of the day started at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday. After the passage controls in Mosbach and at the town hall in Auerbach, the rally reached its northernmost point in Rosenberg. The teams spent their lunch break at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm - which is also a tradition on the second stage of the day. The same applies to the special stage at the Alte Kelter in Stockheim, which took the teams through the vineyards. The teams completed a total of 18 special stages.
After crossing the finish line in Sinsheim in the evening, Dieter and Tina Horn from Neckarwestheim were crowned overall winners with their 1957 Porsche 356 A Coupé. All results are available at www.heidelberg-historic.de.
Unfortunately an accident
Unfortunately, there was an accident among the drivers on Saturday morning near Zweiflingen. After the organizer had all the information about the health of the team involved, it was decided in close consultation with the rally management and the police to finish the event as planned.
Results of the 27th ADAC Heidelberg Historic
The overall winners were Dieter and Tina Horn from Neckarwestheim in their 1957 Porsche 356 A Coupe with starting number 20, who took home the coveted "Kurpfalz-Odenwald Trophy" trophy awarded by the district administrators of the Rhine-Neckar and Neckar-Odenwald districts. (The Horn couple achieved 4th place last year, 1st place in 2019)
Second place overall was secured by Willy and Christa Eisinger from Elz with starting number 19 in their 1964 Porsche 356 SC.
Third place went to Stefano and Susanna Ginesi from Wettingen in Switzerland with their 1973 Autobianchi A 112 Abarth.
(The Eisinger couple achieved 2nd place last year, 2nd place in 2019 and 1st place in 2018)
The winners by class:
- D - up to year of construction 31.12.1945
Starting number 17: Jürgen and Anja Meggle, Pleß, Riley Racing MPH, built in 1933. The team took home the Hans Stuck Trophy as a challenge trophy. - E - Year of construction 01.01.1946-31.12.1960
Starting number 20: Dieter and Tina Horn, Neckarwestheim, Porsche 356 A Coupe, built in 1957, Team Die Glorreichen 5 - F1 - Year of construction 01.01.1961-31.12.1965
Starting number 19: Willy and Christa Eisinger, Elz, Porsche 356 SC, year 1964, Team Eisinger Kühltransporte / AC Wetzlar - F2 - Year of construction 01.01.1966-31.12.1970
Starting number 145: Knuth Henneke and Erwin Becher, Neustadt, Triumph TR 4 IRS, year 1966 - G - Year of construction 01.01.1971-31.12.1976
Starting number 23: Stefano and Susanna Ginesi, CH-Wettingen, Autobianchi A112 Abarth, year 1973, Team AMAMS TAZIO NUVOLARI - X - Special class:
Starting number 79: Thomas and Tobias Mück, Michelstadt, Porsche 911 SC, model year 1980, Team Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe - "Die Glorreichen 5" won the team classification
20 - Horn Dieter / Horn Tina, Porsche 356 A Coupe
19 - Eisinger Willy / Eisinger Christa, Porsche 356 SC
118 - Ehlen Ralf / Köppel Heike, Porsche 356
34 - Mayer Klaus Hermann / Mayer Tessa, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
22 - Schleicher Gotthard / Schmitt Maria, Alfa Romeo Bertone 1750 GTV
